Head Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents

Head injuries are the most common cause of fatalities in motorcycle accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 3,000 motorcyclists are killed due to head injuries and motorcycle accidents and another 50,000 suffer other serious injuries.

Unfortunately, the majority of head injuries occur because of the failure of motorcyclists to wear a proper helmet while operating a motorcycle. This does not mean head injuries do not happen to motorcyclists who wear helmets. Motorcycle accidents can lead to a variety of head injuries depending on the severity of the crash and circumstances leading up to the accident.

Spinal Cord Injuries

An injury to the spinal cord can sever the brain’s communication with the rest of the body when the fibers that transmit signals from the spinal cord to the brain become damaged. This can lead to numerous health problems including bowel dysfunction, quadriplegia, sexual dysfunction, and osteoporosis.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury can cause various symptoms including dizziness, epilepsy, headaches, loss of coordination and balance, difficulty swallowing and nausea. Motorcyclists who suffer TBI may also face cognitive problems such as poor concentration, memory problems, forgetfulness, and inability to process information. The mental symptoms of TBI include irritability, mood swings, depression, and excessive anger.

Skull Fractures

The motorcyclist who fails to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle can suffer a skull fracture if the head hits the road or another vehicle with force. Although skull fractures do not normally warrant extensive medical treatment, in severe cases it can lead to brain damage. A skull fracture in itself is not a life threatening condition, but the fracture can cause damage to veins and arteries, leading to further complications.

Head injuries can have a devastating effect, because it often causes damage to the brain, and unlike other organs in the body, the brain cannot heal on its own. As a result, a motorcyclist who suffers head or traumatic brain injuries in an accident is likely to require extensive and prolonged medical treatment. The victim may have to spend a long period of time in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. The patient may incur expensive bills for medical treatment, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. The financial situation is worsened by the patient’s inability to return to work.

Getting Legal Help

If the motorcycle accident was a result of someone else’s negligence, the motorcyclist can claim all accident-related damages from the person at fault. The victim can claim medical expenses, physical therapy, rehabilitation, wage loss, property damage, and all other economic losses arising out of the motorcycle accident. In addition, the accident victim can also claim non-economic damages such as pain and suffering from the at-fault driver. Contact a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney from Willens Law Offices to learn about your legal options.